On screen—
"Ah! What are you doing?"
Once they landed safely, Ash finally set Koharu down from his arms.
But Lugia's actions left Ash completely puzzled.
Their battle wasn't even finished—so why run away midway?
'I sensed malice… so I left first.'
"Malice?"
Ash frowned suspiciously.
Who'd be dumb enough to harbor malice against Lugia?
That's just brainless!
This was Lugia—the Sea Guardian! Among all legendary Pokémon, it ranked among the very top in raw combat power.
"Maybe it's just your imagination. Seriously, who would be that brain-dead?"
'Perhaps… but Ash, you've gotten stronger.'
"Of course! My journey has always been about walking the world with my own two feet. Only that way can I truly feel its beauty!"
Koharu was left confused.
What kind of encrypted language are these two speaking?!
Ash, however, completely forgot about Lugia's little "revenge" once it praised him.
[Mustard: Hah… don't tell me the Sea Guardian was just helping Ash score points. Otherwise, why splash him with seawater just for 'sensing malice'?]
[Sabrina: Lugia is part Psychic, right? It must've sensed that girl Koharu's inner feelings.]
[Caitlin: If that's true, then this legendary is surprisingly gentle.]
[Koharu: No way! Absolutely not! I've never even met Ash before—why would I have thoughts about him?!]
[Diantha: …Funny, no one said you had feelings for Ash. You just exposed yourself.]
Meanwhile in Kalos, Serena's teeth clenched tight.
She was the first one to meet Ash!
So why were there suddenly so many rivals?
Ash was her treasure!
No—she had to set out on her journey immediately!
Her plan had been to wait until Ash came to Kalos for their reunion.
But if she waited, by the time Ash arrived he might already have been snatched away!
Not happening. I won't let anyone steal my home!
Serena's face flushed red.
Ash… is mine!
On screen—
Lugia carried Ash and Koharu across the skies.
Below them, a dark-skinned boy chased desperately, muttering under his breath.
Lugia glanced down at the tiny speck.
Was this the source of the malice?
As a Psychic-type legendary, Lugia had an acute sense for human hearts.
If Ash was a flawless, pure white gem—
Then the boy below was filth dragged up from a swamp.
His inner corruption was so foul it couldn't even be hidden beneath his dark skin!
To distance itself from that pollution, Lugia soared alongside the clouds, split the seas with its power, and carried Ash and Koharu to marvel at the vast beauty of nature.
From Lugia's back, Koharu saw the ocean part, saw the boundless blue, and witnessed the beauty of Pokémon themselves.
When Lugia returned to the sky, Koharu turned to Ash—only to find Ash already looking at her.
Their eyes met.
They both smiled.
"Thank you for saving me today." Koharu's cheeks flushed pink.
"It's nothing, really. Just lending a hand."
Ash flopped back on Lugia's scales with Pikachu in his arms, letting the sea breeze wash over him.
With Lugia's help, Ash and Koharu had truly gotten to know each other.
Koharu's heart stirred. Slowly, she revealed her fear of Pokémon.
Ash shot upright at once.
Her case was similar to his friend Lillie from Alola.
Lillie couldn't touch Pokémon because of a traumatic childhood.
Koharu was different—she could touch Pokémon. After all, she got along fine with her family's Yamper.
This meant it wasn't physical—it was psychological.
"But why fear Pokémon? Look—today, Lugia even saved you. Pokémon are such wonderful beings."
To prove his point, Ash ran a hand along Lugia's scale-like feathers.
"I don't know…" Koharu clutched the hem of her skirt. Her feelings weren't easy to explain.
"When I was young, I was abandoned by my companions… and then attacked by wild Pokémon. Ever since then… I've been afraid of them."
Lugia adjusted the surrounding winds, blowing warm air their way.
Gentle.
Ash was gentle too.
He reached out and ruffled her hair.
Even though Koharu was older, Ash seemed like an older brother comforting a wounded sister.
Her eyes stung.
For some reason, today she was spilling secrets she'd buried deep—
and to a boy she'd just met.
She sneaked a glance at Ash.
The sunlight hid his face in shadow, revealing only his outline.
But that shadow gave him a touch of divinity.
Ash extended his hand.
"Be brave. Say it out loud. You'll feel better."
At that moment, Koharu's eyes were full of him.
"…Okay."
And so she told the whole story of what had happened at Professor Oak's summer camp years ago.
When Ash heard, he grew furious.
"Abandoning a friend in danger just to save yourself—that Goh guy is despicable!"
"Pika—!"
"Right, Pikachu?!"
"Pika!"
Both Ash and Pikachu were filled with righteous anger, disgusted by such cowardice.
Koharu smiled faintly.
"It's okay. Talking about it makes me feel lighter. It's all in the past now."
Her maturity only made the viewers ache for her more.
Their anger turned toward Goh—who had nearly ruined her life.
[Lillie: That's awful! Goh actually ditched Koharu to save himself?!]
[Steven Stone: Hmph. Anyone who abandons comrades isn't welcome in Hoenn.]
[Cynthia: Same for Sinnoh. As Champion, I officially declare Goh banned from entering our region.]
[Alder: I may be old, but I still have some pull. Unova joins Sinnoh—Goh is banned.]
[Diantha: Of course I support Cynthia. Kalos bans him too.]
[Leon: Count me in. Galar doesn't welcome cowards either!]
[Professor Kukui: Alola may not have a League yet, but we stand with everyone—Goh is banned from Alola as well.]
[Lance: That leaves us Kanto in an awkward spot… Fine. He stays stuck in Vermilion City. We'll never let him hurt any more people or Pokémon.]